Vol 5 Chapter 18

"The calluses formed from learning swordsmanship are not much different from the memories of the past that have become the wounds you speak of. They're traces of something that was once good but now has been quit due to some event that left unpleasant memories. It might seem useless to me now, and I might think there's no need to look back on it."

Speaking so much unlike himself made Kapros's throat feel parched. But he couldn't stop here. After swallowing once, he continued.

"Looking at and touching those calluses won't take me back to the past when I was learning swordsmanship. What remains in the past that's already gone isn't the calluses, but just me who couldn't move on from that time. But when I touch the calluses again, I might discover something different from the vague memories I had before. And when I start learning to cook, I might realize that the calluses unexpectedly help in handling ingredients or using knives."

"..."

"But if I don't try any of this, I'll just live forever fearing my own palms, unable to touch anything."

Isn't it the same for you?

As he spoke, he felt as if he was talking to his past self and closed his eyes. Why hadn't the him of that time, trapped in his own wounds, tried to break out of his shell and act even a little sooner? If he had made the same resolution as now just a little earlier, his life might have undergone even more changes than it had now.

"I think that's what wounds are like."

Rex remained silent for a long time. Kapros, too, didn't urge an answer and just waited. Time passed in silence.

Finally, Rex raised his bowed head and showed a complex expression with clearly shining eyes.

"...You're quite clumsy with words."

Despite his efforts, it seemed he couldn't hide his lack of eloquence. However, Rex lowered his eyes and smiled for the first time.

"I understand one thing. No matter how much I try not to look at the calluses, they're still calluses, and if I cut them, I'm the only one who'll bleed."

Kapros felt all the tension release at once and let out a long sigh.

"Actually... that wasn't the only thing I was afraid of. It would be nice if I could get out, but I thought, even if someone like me returned, what help could I be to Remil who has grown up without me for 10 years... Haha. Am I not really a coward?"

It seemed Kapros could definitely provide an answer to that.

"Remil tried to come here herself to find her father's belongings."

At Kapros's words, Rex was silent for a moment before laughing out loud with a strange expression that seemed both pained and joyful.

"Huh, I wonder who she takes after to be so reckless."

He fell silent again for a long time. Then, opening his closed eyes, he stood up.

"...Alright. As you say, I'll try for now. I'll lead the way, so get ready and follow me."

"Woohooo!"

At that moment, the other men cheered from outside the cave.

As Kapros followed behind Rex, he vowed never to forget the feelings of this moment and the new realizations he had gained while speaking. The sensation of the calluses pressing against his palm as he clenched his fist felt somehow new today.

After leaving the cave, Rex took the lead, moving forward one step at a time more cautiously than anyone. He didn't forget to look around at the surroundings every few minutes, as if trying to gauge the changing paths. While the differences were imperceptible to Kapros, it seemed Rex could at least tell where they were.

When Kapros felt they had gone quite deep into the forest, the notification window that had appeared when he first came here popped up in front of his eyes again.

Ding!

- As you enter deeper into an unidentified area, the status ailment, Heavy Motion, is being applied more strongly!

"Urgh..."

Though Kapros ignored the notification window, the increasingly heavy body was really hard to bear. Finally, when he let out a low groan, Rex in front turned his head. He too was clearly suffering, sweating profusely.

"...I'll take you as far as I can, then I'll retreat right away. The forbidden area is right ahead, so the path shouldn't change..."

"It's alright. I'll manage on my own after that."

"I'm sorry."

As his body grew heavier and heavier, finally becoming as heavy as if he had trained all day and was too tired to move a single step, Rex, who had been trudging along, stopped at one spot.

In front of him stood a chunk of stone wall that looked like it had been built and collapsed a very long time ago. In fact, looking around, there were several more such structures visible. From what Rex had told him earlier, Kapros could guess that this was the place.

"Is this it?"

"..."

Rex didn't say a word, his expression complex, but his agreement was palpable.

"Then please go back first. I'll go in here."

"Are you really... planning to go in?"

As if suddenly overcome by fear and worry, Rex looked back anxiously. Kapros answered firmly, forcing strength into his legs that felt like they might sink into the ground at any moment.

"Yes. I'll see you later then."

Kapros walked forward, lifting his trembling, leaden legs that shook more violently as he approached the center. Finally, the first stone wall came right up to his nose. Rex, despite being told to go, hadn't left and was watching him from behind.

Kapros took a deep breath, gripped the stone wall for support, and with great effort, took the last step, placing his foot on the ground beyond the wall.

Woooong!

Simultaneously, an opaque shield-like thing activated from somewhere behind him, and the pressure that had been weighing down his entire body disappeared.

"Urgh!"

- Status ailment mode has been deactivated!

His body suddenly became light, causing him to fall forward and roll several times. Kapros got up, looking around at the half-collapsed stone walls. When he looked back, Rex was no longer visible.